Election 2012: Kirkland wins 11th term in state House after trouncing Schiliro

Marcus Hook Mayor James "Jay" Schiliro raised questions about the ethics of state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland last month, but apparently his concerns were not shared by the majority of the electorate.

Kirkland, a longtime House Democrat, trounced Schiliro in the general election Tuesday to earn an 11th term representing the 159th District. With 94 percent of machines reporting at press time, Kirkland led by a 4-to-1 margin, earning 16,697 votes to the Republican Schiliro's 4,292.

Kirkland thanked his family, campaign workers and supporters for making his re-election a reality and said he planned to continue to work hard in Harrisburg to pass legislation that will benefit the district.

"We're going to continue to focus on education and job creation within the 159th," Kirkland said. "We're going to try to work on some real gun legislation."

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The 159th District includes Chester City, Chester Township, Eddystone, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook, Parkside, Trainer, Upland and portions of both Upper Chichester and Ridley Township. At press time Kirkland led in most of those municipalities though Schiliro had captured Marcus Hook and Lower Chichester.

The race might not have been the county's closest, but it was among the most hostile. During the campaign, Schiliro did not shy from questioning Kirkland's ethics and commitment. Kirkland ardently defended himself, at one point referring to Schiliro only as his "demonic opponent" during a press conference held in the sanctuary of his church.

Schiliro repeatedly harped that Kirkland catered only to the needs of Chester and was not an active figure in solving one of the district's most critical economic issues -- finding a buyer for the Marcus Hook refinery. He also demanded the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission investigate Kirkland for steering grant funding to organizations that benefit his family.

Schiliro, 38, said he will continue to question Kirkland's ethics despite losing the election. He again encouraged the ethics commission to investigate Kirkland.

"I just don't want to see that fall through the cracks and I don't think it can," Schiliro said, adding that he was disappointed the voters overlooked documented information. He thanked his supporters and said he will consider running again two years from now. Until then, he said he is proud to continue serving Marcus Hook as mayor.

Kirkland, 57, consistently defended himself against Schiliro's accusations, acknowledging that he steered grants toward organizations benefiting his family. However, he maintained they were among various worthy organizations he helped gain funding. He encouraged the ethics commission to investigate him and suggested it should do likewise for all state legislators.

The ethics commission does not confirm or deny active investigations.

Kirkland said the election results prove voters approve of his conduct as a legislator.

"I think the folks in the 159th, they know my character," Kirkland said. "They know my integrity. They were not going to tolerate that kind of nonsense."

Kirkland has represented the district for two decades, often fighting to improve public education and diminish the gun violence that plagues many urban areas. He also helped secure funding for the Route 291 highway expansion, the city's waterfront developments and the Chester Boys and Girls Club facility.

Kirkland, a pastor at Community Baptist Church in Chester, is the chairman of the Tourism and Recreation Committee and the vice chairman of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Schiliro gained political prominence as he and other politicians feverishly tried to find a buyer for the town's refinery, which Sunoco shut down earlier this year. Braskem America, a Brazilian polypropylene manufacturer, purchased a portion of the plant in July.

Schiliro said Marcus Hook lost $1 million in revenue due to the shutdown, but that he was able to balance the budget without laying off police officers.

As mayor, Schiliro said he started the town watch program, implemented a curfew that led to drug arrests and revamped the police department. He also said he brought the Coast Guard Auxiliary and various businesses to Marcus Hook.

He previously served the borough as a councilman until becoming mayor in 2010.